[Rosadollymixture]

Hi, we need some help/advice from more experienced bee keepers out there.

I have 2 hives and in one large bees are flying in and out unchallenged by the guard bees and in the other hive the large bees are being evicted by the guards.  I've posted a couple of pictures showing the larger bees.  Are these likely to be drones or some other invaders robbing the hives of stores.  Both hives are new this year and have not produced any honey but we have been feeding them for several weeks now.

Hope someone can help.   
 
Jackie

[Moleskins]

Close up the hive entrance to provide only a small entrance, in the pic it looks like a mouse guard you have on with lots of openings.
Once robbing starts it's hard to stop but closing up the entrance is vital.

[Rosadollymixture]

Hi Moleskins,
Yes, I do have mouse guards on both hives.  During the warmer days we've had lately I've been opening them up by a couple of inches during the day simply because there are so many bees trying to get in and out but I'll leave them closed up completely in the hope that this makes a difference.

Jackie

[Moleskins]

Hi, don't close them up completely obviously, what you want is a Beehive Entrance Block rather than a mouse guard. If you Google Beehive Entrance block you'll see plenty of examples. Some close the entrance up to just enough space for one bee to go in or out, this makes for an easy to defend entrance. If you have lots of small entrances the bees might forget to defend some and that's it.
Especially at this time of year because wasps will be looking for a way in too !!

[Clive]

Hi Jackie,

I've had a close look at your pictures and I think you are talking about drones. The 'large bees' you can see are the drones or male honeybees. At this time of year they are normally being evicted from the hive, which explains one behaviour you have seen. One of your hives may still be allowing drones to remain, thus they are not being challenged.

You can tell if they are drones in a couple of ways. They have a noticeably more blunt abdomen and the eyes are particularly large.

They also don't have a sting if you really want to check!

Hope this helps

Clive

[Rosadollymixture]

Thanks Moleskins and Clive for you advice.  Over the last couple of weeks we have managed to get a good look inside the hives and I am happy to report that all is well.  The huge amount of sugar we have been feeding them can be seen carefully stored away so nothing has been taking it away.  We did manage to get hold of one of the larger bees as it was outside the hive and looking very sleepy.  It turns out that we had nothing to worry about as it was definitely a drone. 

Varroa treatment is nearly complete on both hives so it will be time to get them all cosy and hope that the Aberdeenshire winter is kind to them.

Regards
Jackie